PUPILS and teachers in Paisley are being urged to unite with schools across the UK and Stand Up To Cancer.

Teachers are being encouraged to sign up now for their free fundraising pack to support Stand Up To Cancer, a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

Launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has already raised more than £25million to fund translational research, accelerating progress in cancer research and speeding up breakthroughs from labs to patients.

Stand Up To Cancer is supported by a host of celebrities including Davina McCall, Alan Carr and Adam Hills. This year’s campaign culminates on Friday 21 October with a night of live TV on Channel 4 led by the brightest stars in film, TV and music.

Every day, around 85 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland*. By joining Stand Up To Cancer, pupils and teachers in Paisley will be coming together with celebrities, doctors, nurses and scientists to generate funds, raise awareness and help accelerate life-saving research.

There are lots of ways for schools to get involved – from organising non-uniform days and selling special wristbands to setting fundraising challenges.

TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp supports Stand Up To Cancer and last year visited schools taking part in the fundraising. Now, she is urging everyone in Paisley to get involved.

Kirstie said: “Stand Up To Cancer is a cause that’s very close to my heart, as I lost my mum and other family members to this dreadful disease. That’s why I’m asking everyone in Paisley to join me and make a stand.

“We need to raise funds to give cancer research the boost it needs to help develop treatments more quickly and save more lives. This is an opportunity to join a collective force of millions in the fight against cancer. I know that schools in Paisley are up to the challenge.”

All the money raised for Stand Up To Cancer will fund translational research. This takes developments in the lab and transforms them into brand new tests and treatments for cancer patients.

Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Scotland, said: “One in two people will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime but our fight against this disease is at a turning point. Thanks to advances in knowledge, technology and ground-breaking research, more people in the UK are surviving than ever before.

“Stand Up To Cancer aims to accelerate the translation of brilliant scientific discoveries into innovative cancer medicine, tests and treatments. Every pound raised will help to support this progress and save more lives.

“Thousands of pupils and teachers have already joined the movement to Stand Up To Cancer and we want this year to be bigger and better than ever. We’re urging schools across Paisley to join us.”

For more information and to get a free fundraising pack visit standuptocancer.org.uk/schools